Research summary
Stem cells are those from which all other cells are generated, including those that eventually take on specialized functions. These cells have a key role to play in both development and disease. As Canada Research Chair in RNA Biology in Hematological Malignancies, Dr. Ly Vu is studying stem cells to develop innovative treatments for blood cancers.
Vu and her research team are using an RNA biology lens to study how gene expression at the RNA level is controlled during normal and malignant blood cell production. They aim to develop an effective treatment for patients whose leukemia is refractory (does not respond to existing treatments) or relapsing (returns after a period of improvement). Because cancer stem cells are a main driver in drug resistance, a major focus of their research is to uncover foundational features of leukemia stem cells in order to target them and eradicate the diseases they cause.